September 25, 2017

Scoliosis Treatment for Tiani from Sri Lanka

erika Scoliosis SOS Patients

Scoliosis Treatment Sri Lanka

Here at Scoliosis SOS, we’ve treated people from all over the world – scoliosis sufferers of all ages have come from many, many different countries to receive non-surgical scoliosis treatment at our clinic in London. One of those countries is Sri Lanka, and one of our recent patients was the lovely 11-year-old Tiani Perera. This is her story.

Tiani’s Story: Young Scoliosis Patient from Sri Lanka

In many cases, overseas patients come to us when the only option they’ve been given is spinal fusion surgery. We offer an alternative to this, and so patients travel from far and wide to receive treatment here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic. This was the case with Tiani, and when she was offered surgical treatment in Sri Lanka, she decided instead to come and visit us in London. Tiani was diagnosed with scoliosis at home in Sri Lanka in 2015. The first indication that she had scoliosis was that her shoulders were not level; furthermore, when she bent over (see Adam’s forward bend test), a small hump was visible below her right shoulder blade.  When Tiani’s parents noticed these symptoms, they took her to the doctor, who confirmed her spinal curvature and stated that surgery was the only viable treatment option. However, Tiani was too young for surgery at the time (since her body was still growing), and so she had to wear a brace first. Due to the severity of Tiani’s condition, she struggled to sit comfortably in school and would often feel pain in her back before going to bed at night. She didn’t want to have surgery, and so when her family were told about Scoliosis SOS and our highly effective non-surgical treatment methods, they decided to make the 11-hour trip to our clinic in London. Tiani underwent a 4-week ScolioGold treatment course and was very pleased with the results. Her rotation improved by eight degrees, she was no longer in pain, and she found that her shoulders and hips had become realigned again. 

Tiani is one of the many scoliosis sufferers from other countries that we have treated here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic. If you would like to learn more about our ScolioGold courses, please click here – or get in touch to arrange an initial consultation.
September 20, 2017

Hypermobility and Scoliosis

erika Scoliosis & Other Back Problems

Hypermobility

If a person has scoliosis, this condition can manifest itself in a multitude of different ways. Aside from the most obvious symptom – a visibly curved spine – patients may experience any number of other effects, from back pain and stiffness to muscular imbalance, constipation, and even compromised breathing. Another condition that seems to be quite common among people with curved spines is hypermobility. Today, we’d like to take a closer look at the relationship between hypermobility and scoliosis, but first…

What is hypermobility?

If you have hypermobility, it means that some of your joints are unusually flexible or have a greater range of movement than normal. Hypermobility is also known as hyperlaxity, and people with hypermobile joints are sometimes said to be ‘double-jointed‘. Common signs of hypermobility include:
  • The ability to bend one’s elbows and/or knees backwards
  • The ability to bend one’s little finger back beyond 90 degrees
  • The ability to bend one’s thumb backwards to the point where it touches the arm
  • The ability to place one’s palms flat on the floor without bending one’s knees
Hypermobility is not necessarily a health problem in and of itself, but it is associated with a number of undesirable symptoms. For instance, individuals with hypermobile joints often also experience:
  • Aches and pains in joints/muscles
  • Joint dislocations
  • Fatigue
  • Recurrent sprains
When hypermobility is accompanied by symptoms like these, we call it JHS (Joint Hypermobility Syndrome).

What causes hypermobility?

In many cases, hypermobility occurs independently of any other conditions. In other words, hypermobility isn’t always the result of an underlying health issue – some people are just double-jointed with no clear cause. That being said, hypermobility does sometimes form part of a larger set of symptoms. In particular, hypermobile joints can commonly be found in people with the following conditions:
  • Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) – A condition that’s characterised by stretchy skin that cuts and bruises easily.
  • Marfan syndrome – A genetic condition of the body’s connective tissues, resulting in long limbs, flexible joints, and heart problems in some cases.
Both of the above syndromes are also closely associated with curvatures of the spine.

How are hypermobility and scoliosis connected?

Because conditions like Ehlers-Danlos and Marfan syndrome often lead to both hypermobility and scoliosis, it is perhaps unsurprising that many people with curved spines also have hypermobile joints. Yet the correlation between hypermobility and scoliosis does not appear to be limited to Marfan syndrome / EDS patients. A 2011 study of children with idiopathic scoliosis (i.e. a sideways spinal curvature with no clear underlying cause) showed that joint hypermobility was significantly more common amongst idiopathic scoliosis sufferers than amongst other children. (If you’re interested, you can find the full study here.) So it seems that if you have scoliosis – regardless of whether your condition is idiopathic or the result of a condition like EDS – you are more likely than average to have hypermobile joints as well.

Treating scoliosis patients with hypermobile joints

Because hypermobile joints have a greater motion range than usual, they are also more susceptible to injury. It is very important for physical therapists to bear this in mind when treating people with hypermobility, as some of the exercises and techniques commonly included in physiotherapy regimes are potentially harmful for patients with overly mobile joints. Given the high incidence of hypermobility amongst scoliosis patients, our ScolioGold therapists are trained to always be mindful of the risk of over-extension. Click here to learn more about our exercise-based treatment courses, or contact Scoliosis SOS today if you suffer from curvature of the spine and wish to arrange a consultation.
September 14, 2017

Scoliosis in Babies: Infantile & Congenital Scoliosis

erika Scoliosis & Other Back Problems
Scoliosis is fairly rare amongst babies and young children, as in most cases the spinal curve doesn’t develop until adolescence. However, that’s doesn’t mean that babies are never affected.

Scoliosis in Babies

Broadly speaking, there are two types of scoliosis in babies: infantile scoliosis and congenital scoliosis. Today, we’re going to explain the differences and similarities between each condition, and how they can be treated.

What is congenital scoliosis?

Congenital scoliosis is a type of scoliosis that is present from birth. It is caused by irregular development of the spine while the baby is still in the womb. It occurs because one or more vertebrae didn’t form properly, or if multiple vertebrae are joined together. The symptoms of congenital scoliosis are just the same as any other form of scoliosis: uneven hips and/or shoulders; rib cage more prominent on one side than the other; a visible lean to one side. But these symptoms may be harder to identify in a very young child. Every person experiences scoliosis differently, whether you’re born with the spinal condition or develop a curve later in life. Some sufferers may experience pain, respiratory problems, and/or reduced mobility, but none of these symptoms are guaranteed. In some cases of congenital scoliosis, where the condition is linked to a problem with the spinal cord, the patient may also experience reduced coordination, reduced strength, and numbness, but again these symptoms vary from person to person. Read more about congenital scoliosis >

What is infantile scoliosis?

Infantile scoliosis is a sideways spinal curve that is diagnosed between 0 and 3 years of age. Unlike congenital scoliosis, infantile isn’t present at birth; rather, it develops early in the child’s life. Infantile scoliosis affects more baby boys than girls, and the exact cause of infantile scoliosis is unknown. Some have suggested that the spine is slightly bent at the time of birth and simply worsens with growth. The spinal curve typically appears between the shoulder blades or in the thoracic (upper) region of the spine, and the spine tends to curve to the left more often than it curves to the right. The diagnosis of infantile scoliosis is based on the age of onset, the location of the curve, findings from the physical examination, and x-rays. The symptoms of infantile scoliosis are very similar to those of congenital scoliosis, and again, their severity varies from one patient to the next.

Treating infantile and congenital scoliosis

In cases of scoliosis where the patient is still very young, doctors usually recommend monitoring/observing their condition to see whether the spinal curve will correct itself over time. Later on, if the curve has not corrected itself and is in fact worsening, the patient may be recommended to wear a back brace to stop the curve from progressing. In severe cases, they also may have to undergo spinal fusion surgery. Like most forms of the condition, infantile and congenital scoliosis can be effectively treated via exercise-based physiotherapy, which is what we offer here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic. We have treated plenty of young children, and have seen some excellent results! If you would like to find out more about our non-surgical scoliosis treatment courses and how they can benefit babies with scoliosis, please call Scoliosis SOS on 0207 488 4428 or click here to book an initial consultation.
September 7, 2017

Hyperkyphosis Brace: How Does it Work?

erika Scoliosis & Other Back Problems
Hyperkyphosis is a spinal disorder which refers to the excessive forward curvature of the upper back. Hyperkyphosis is usually diagnosed once the curvature reaches over 50 degrees; prior to that, it is just known as kyphosis and does not typically require treatment.  

What is a hyperkyphosis brace? 

A hyperkyphosis brace is a form of treatment to rectify a spinal curvature in adolescents. These braces are not usually recommended for adults as the spine stops growing once adulthood is reached and it would not provide any benefits. The brace is used to help straighten the spine and help strengthen the back. A hyperkyphosis brace usually straightens the spine, pulls the shoulders back and allows the chin to sit upright.

Kyphosis Brace

The hyperkyphosis brace also takes the pressure off the spine and encourages it to grow in a more upright position. Every spine typically has a slight amount of curvature, but as hyperkyphosis can cause health issues bracing is required to avoid these further complications.  

When is a hyperkyphosis brace needed? 

Once the degree of the curvature surpasses 50 degrees a Hyperkyphosis brace may be needed. Hyperkyphosis can occur at any age and can even occur before birth. This is known as congenital kyphosis and means several vertebra fuse together or the spinal bones do not form properly. In this case, treatment such as using a hyperkyphosis brace is needed from a very young age. Scheuermann’s and bad posture are also causes of this condition. If these forms of hyperkyphosis develop before adulthood, hyperkyphosis braces can be used to stunt the progression of the spinal curve.  

How long do you have to wear a hyperkyphosis brace?

Depending on the severity of the case, you may be required to wear a hyperkyphosis brace for the most part of every day. If worn from a young age, it may be possible to stop wearing the brace once your spine has stopped growing. This is typically around the age of 16-18 for girls and 18-20 for boys. If the curvature is mild, a hyperkyphosis brace may need to be worn for less time but this should be discussed with your doctor beforehand. Here at the Scoliosis SOS Clinic, we help patients with all different types of spinal disorders, from scoliosis to hyperkyphosis. Our treatment course provides patients with a non-surgical alternative and allows the spine to improve through physical therapy. You can take a look at the results of our ScolioGold course here. If you’re interested in a non-surgical alternative for your hyperkyphosis, you can book an initial consultation with us today. We look forward to hearing from you.
September 5, 2017

Massage for Scoliosis: Methods and Benefits

erika Living with Scoliosis

Massage for scoliosis

If you have scoliosis, you may be accustomed to the back pain and stiffness that stem from the curvature of your spine. Massage is a method that’s often used to combat backache, but can massages help scoliosis patients specifically? The answer is that, while massage obviously cannot cure scoliosis, specialised massage treatments can be effective for treating the pain that arises from a misalignment of the spine.

Types of Scoliosis Massage

Using massage for scoliosis does not halt or reverse the curvature of the spine, but it can be a great form of pain management. Scoliosis massages have become popular due to their ability to reduce the – at times quite severe – back pain that sometimes occurs as a result of scoliosis.  There are five specific scoliosis massage methods that have been proven to provide relief:

Cranial-sacral therapy

This massage works by gently stimulating the restricted tissue around the spine. This massage therapy can help improve the functionality of the spine and reduce the amount of stiffness and back pain that the patient experiences.

Deep tissue scoliosis massage

Commonly associated with relieving back pain, a deep tissue massage also works for those suffering from scoliosis. Combined with stretching and neuromuscular therapy, this deep massage can reduce back pain by increasing the blood flow to the back, which in turn elongates tightened muscles.

Swedish massage

When used on patients with scoliosis, a Swedish massage can relieve back pain, along with headaches, insomnia and shallow breathing. This is a light pressure massage that uses a combination of smooth strokes, kneading and circular movements.

Sports massage

This rigorous massage technique can be beneficial for adults who have struggled with scoliosis pain for many years. A sports massage for scoliosis works to ease the restriction in the affected muscles.

Shiatsu

Shiatsu massages for scoliosis apply pressure to the same trigger points targeted during acupuncture treatments. Though based on the principles of traditional Chinese medicine, this is actually a Japanese technique that also focuses on stretching/rotating limbs and joints to regain the balance of the body. Please note: If you have previously gone through surgery for your scoliosis, we would advise speaking with a medical professional before receiving any of these massages.

The Benefits of Scoliosis Massage

Alongside a noticeable reduction of back pain, scoliosis massages can also provide an array of other benefits. Here’s a look at just a few. 
  • Better sleep due to reduced pain
  • Increased mobility
  • Heightened circulation
  • Improved flexibility
  • Better bodily awareness
Massage can improve not only the physical health but also the mental wellbeing of scoliosis sufferers. Scoliosis can have a very negative effect on one’s mental health, and by helping to improving quality of sleep, bodily awareness and mobility, massage therapy can lead to a much more positive state of mind.  If you are suffering from some of the symptoms of scoliosis, get in touch with Scoliosis SOS today to book an initial consultation. We can conduct consultations via Skype or over the phone if you live outside the UK.

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